Insect repellent and attractant compositions and methods for using same

ABSTRACT

Described is (i) a method of repelling Musca domestica L. (Diptera:Muscidae) or Aedes aegyptae for a finite period of time from a three-dimensional space inhabitable by Musca domestica L. (Diptera:Muscidae) or Aedes aegyptae consisting essentially of the step of exposing a three-dimensional space to an effective Musca domestica L. (Diptera:Muscidae) or Aedes aegyptae-repelling concentration and quantity of a geraniol-containing composition consisting essentially of 50-100% of geraniol with the remainder of the composition being a compound selected from the group consisting of citronellol and nerol and (ii) a method of attracting Musca domestica L. (Diptera:Muscidae) or Aedes aegyptae using lavender absolute, benzoin, dimethyl benzyl carbinyl acetate, jasmine absolute, racemic borneol, d-limonene and/or dihydrolinalool. The attractants taken alone or in combination find utility primarily as bait enhancers for acute toxins and/or trapping devices. The above-stated attractants and repellents are described to be useful as such or contained in a polymer which can be a biodegradable polymer such as compositions containing a major proportion of poly(epsilon caprolactone) homopolymers.

This is a Divisional of application Ser. No. 08/450,584 filed on May 25,1995; which, in turn, is a Streamline Divisional of of Application forU.S. Letters Patent, Ser. No. 08/241,555 filed on May 12, 1994; which,in turn, is a Streamline Divisional of Application for U.S. LettersPatent, Ser. No. 08/130,256 filed on Oct. 1, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No.5,401,500 issued on Mar. 28, 1995; which in turn, is a StreamlineDivisional of U.S. Letters Patent, Ser. No. 07/948,142 filed on Sep. 18,1992 (now abandoned) as originally filed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the use of geraniol-containing compositionsconsisting essentially of from 50-100% by weight of geraniol having thestructure: ##STR1##

with the remainder of the composition being a compound selected from thegroup consisting of citronellol having the structure: ##STR2##

and nerol having the structure: ##STR3##

as repellents against house flies (Musca domestica L.(Diptera:Muscidae)) and mosquitoes (Aedes aegyptae).

This invention also relates to the use of the compounds:

lavender absolute;

bezoin having the structure: ##STR4##

dimethyl benzyl carbinyl acetate having the structure: ##STR5##

jasmine absolute;

racemic borneol having the structure: ##STR6##

d-limonene having the structure: ##STR7##

and dihydrolinalool having the structure: ##STR8## taken alone or takentogether as attractants for house flies (Musca domestica L.(Diptera:Muscidae)) and mosquitoes (Aedes aegyptae).

This invention also relates to the use of such compounds andcompositions of matter in insect repellents, soaps, insect traps and thelike wherein, the compositions of matter are used as such or incombination in control release systems with polymers such asbiodegradable polymers.

Unsaturated alcohols including 1-octen-4-ol and 1-nonen-3-ol are knownwith respect to controlling insects and 1-octen-4-ol and 1-nonen-3-olare disclosed to be so useful in repelling Musca domestica L.(Diptera:Muscidae) and Aedes aegyptae in U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,367 issuedon Aug. 16, 1988 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,711 issued on Jun. 2, 1992.Several unsaturated alcohols have been found to attract insects andothers have been found to repel such insects. Thus, U.S. Pat. No.4,152,442 issued on May 1, 1979 sets forth 6-nonen-1-ol in a compositionof matter used as an attractant for the male Mediterranean fruit fly.Chem. Abstracts, Volume 103, No. 71086p concerns the synthesis of(Z)-8-dodecen-1-ol and its acetate as pheromone components of theOriental Fruit Moth (Grapholita molesta). This is an abstract of thearticle in Acta Chem. Scan. Ser. B, 1985, B39(4), pages 267-72. U.S.Pat. No. 4,364,931 issued on Dec. 21, 1982 discloses the use of9(Z)-tetradecen-1-ol acetate in attracting male white-line dart moths.

Chem. Abstracts, Volume 80, 1974, at No. 117098f discloses the use oftrans-6-nonen-1-ol acetate as an ovipositional attractant and stimulantof the melon fly. U.S. Pat. No. 2,254,665 issued on Sep. 1, 1941, on theother hand, discloses the use of aliphatic alcohols having from 10 to 14carbon atoms to repel insects. Examples of the aliphatic alcohols ofU.S. Pat. No. 2,254,665 are all saturated alcohols, to wit:

dodecyl alcohol;

octyl alcohol;

hexadecyl alcohol;

tetradecyl alcohol; and

undecyl alcohol.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,254,665 fails to disclose the use of unsaturatedalcohols in insect repellent compositions.

Chem. Abstracts, Volume 74, 1974, at No. 99419f discloses variousnonenyl acetates as attractants for female melon flies (abstract of J.Med. Chem. 1971, 14(3), pages 236-9) including trans-2-nonen-1-ylacetate.

On the other hand, Beroza, Materials Evaluated As Insecticides,Repellents and Chemosterilants at Orlando and Gainesville, Fla.,1952-1964. Agriculture Handbook No. 340, published by The AgriculturalResearch Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, August, 1967 disclosesthe following items 5443-5452 as insect repellents (on a scale of 1-10)as follows:

Item 5443-3-phenyl-2-octen-1-ol repels the yellow fever mosquito fromcloth at a level of "1" on a scale of 1-10.

Item 5444-2,6-dimethyl-4-octen-3-ol repels the yellow fever mosquitofrom cloth at a level of "1" on a scale of 1-10.

Item 5445-3,6-dimethyl-5-octen-3-ol repels the yellow fever mosquitofrom cloth at a level of "1" on a scale of 1-10.

Item 5446-3-6-dimethyl-5-octen-3-ol acetate repels the yellow fevermosquito from cloth at a level of "1" on a scale of 1-10.

Item 5447-2,7-dimethyl-5-octen-4-ol acetate repels the yellow fevermosquito from cloth at a level of "1" on a scale of 1-10.

Item 5448-3,7-dimethyl-6-octen-1-ol repels the yellow fever mosquitofrom cloth at a level of "2" on a scale of 1-10.

Item 5449-3,7-dimethyl-6-octen-1-ol carbanilate repels the yellow fevermosquito from cloth at a level of "1" on a scale of 1-10.

Item 5450-3,7-dimethyl-6-octen-2-ol repels the yellow fever mosquitofrom cloth at a level of "1" on a scale of 1-10.

Item 5451-3,6-dimethyl-6-octen-3-ol repels the yellow fever mosquitofrom cloth at a level of "1" on a scale of 1-10.

Item 5452-3,7-dimethyl-6-octen-3-ol repels the yellow fever mosquitofrom cloth at a level of "2" on a scale of 1-10.

Beroza, Agriculture Handbook No. 340 at Item 7977 indicates that undecylalcohol acetate has insect repelling properties as follows:

Yellow fever mosquito: "1" on a scale of 1-10 Tick at a level of "2" ona scale of 1-10.

European Published Patent Application 478,846 (abstracted at Chem.Abstracts, Volume 116:250531v discloses the use of borneol as an"environmentally friendly" ant repellent. U.S. Pat. No. 4,774,081 issuedSep. 27, 1988 and corresponding European Application 275,085 disclosesas an example of a contact insect repellent against cockroaches andother crawling insects, citronellol, geraniol, nerol and butyl hydroxyanisole and mixtures thereof (column 2, lines 31-39). Chem. Abstracts,Volume 105:204742q discloses that compounds from the leaves of bay(Laurus nobilis L.) are useful repellents for Tribolium castaneum(Herbst) and these compounds include, inter alia, geraniol when presentat 50 ppm. Chem. Abstracts, Volume 113:110945w (abstract of Japan KokaiTokkyo Koho 02/67202) discloses that, inter alia, linalool. geraniol,citronellol and nerol are repellent when incorporated into porousinorganic microcapsules against cockroaches, slugs, ants, etc. Chem.Abstracts, Volume 104:30390k discloses the repellency against houseflies of citronellol.

However, attractancy of geraniol towards certain insect genuses isdisclosed in "Handbook of Insect Pheromones and Sex Attractants", Mayer,et al, CRC Press, 1991 at pages 708, 709, 866 and 867.

Biodegradable polymers containing insect repellents including polymerscontaining at least a major proportion of poly(epsilon caprolactone)homopolymers are disclosed by Munteanu, et al, in U.S. Pat. No.4,496,467 issued on Jan. 29, 1985, U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,613 issued onSep. 4, 1984 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,764 issued on Oct. 22, 1985.

Referring back to Beroza, Materials Evaluated As Insecticides,Repellents And Chemosterilants at Orlando and Gainesville, Fla.,1952-1964 (cited, supra) Beroza discloses that the compound having thestructure: ##STR9## taken in admixture with the compound having thestructure: ##STR10## have repellency against the yellow fever mosquitoon cloth at a level of "2" on a scale of 1-10.

PCT Application 91/15118 published on Oct. 17, 1991 (Beldock, et al)alleges the use of a mixture of geraniol in combination with terpineol,citronella and rhodenol extract as repellent against ticks and bitingflies including mosquitoes and black flies. It is alleged in PCTApplication 91/15118 that the composition of matter TREO® containing:

0.06% terpineol;

0.05% citronella;

0.08% rhodenol extract; and

0.06% geraniol

is such a useful insect repellent composition.

Prior art published prior to the invention followed by reduction topractice of the invention of the instant patent application does notteach applicants' invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a series of graphs depicted in three dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness or repellency of air, lavender absolute and a mixture ofgeraniol, citronellol and nerol containing 61.49 mole percent geraniolhaving the structure: ##STR11## 13.98 mole percent nerol having thestructure: ##STR12## and 24.53 mole percent citronellol having thestructure: ##STR13## The graphs are based on experiments run for aperiod of six hours with six intervals of one hour each using as theinsect to be tested the mosquito (Aedes aegyptae). The results aretabulated in Table I, infra.

FIG. 2 is a series of graphs depicted in three dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness or repellency of benzoin having the structure: ##STR14##and a mixture of 61.49 mole percent geraniol; 13.98 mole percent neroland 24.53 mole percent citronellol. The graphs are based on experimentsrun for a period of six hours with six intervals of one hour each usingas the insect to be tested the house fly Musca domestica L.(Diptera:Muscidae). The results are tabulated in Table II, infra.

FIG. 3 is a series of graphs depicted in three dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness or repellency of tridecene nitrile, air, jasmineabsolute, dimethyl benzyl carbinyl acetate having the structure:##STR15## and a mixture containing 81.28 mole percent geraniol and 18.72mole percent of a mixture of nerol and citronellol with the mole ratioof citronellol:nerol being 1.78. The graphs are based on experiments runfor a period of six hours with six intervals of one hour each using asthe insect to be tested the house fly, Musca domestica L.(Diptera:Muscidae). The results are tabulated in Table III, infra.

FIG. 4 is a series of graphs depicted in three dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness and repellency of air and a mixture containing 61.49 molepercent geraniol, 13.98 mole percent nerol and 24.53 mole percentcitronellol. The graphs are based on experiments run for a period oftwelve hours with six intervals of two hours each using as the insect tobe tested the mosquito (Aedes aegyptae). The results are tabulated inTable IV, infra.

FIG. 5A is a series of graphs depicted in three dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness or repellency of borneol having the structure: ##STR16##(racemic borneol), d-limonene having the structure: ##STR17## and amixture of 61.49 mole percent geraniol, 13.98 mole percent nerol and24.53 mole percent citronellol. The graphs are based on experiments runfor a period of one hour with six intervals of 10 minutes each using asthe insect to be tested the mosquito, (Aedes aegyptae). The results aretabulated in Table V(A), infra.

FIG. 5B is a series of graphs depicted in three dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness or repellency for racemic borneol, d-limonene, air and amixture of 61.49 mole percent geraniol, 13.98 mole percent nerol and24.53 mole percent citronellol. The graphs are based on experiments runfor a period of six hours with six intervals of one hour each using asthe insect to be tested the mosquito (Aedes aegyptae). The results aretabulated in Table V(B), infra.

FIG. 5C is a series of graphs depicted in three dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness or repellency of air, d-limonene, racemic borneol and amixture of 61.49 percent geraniol, 13.98 percent nerol and 24.53 percentcitronellol. The graphs are based on experiments run for a period oftwelve hours with six intervals of two hours each using as the insect tobe tested the mosquito (Aedes aegyptae). The results are tabulated inTable V(C), infra.

FIG. 6A is a series of graphs depicted in three dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness or repellency of air and a mixture of 61.49 mole percentgeraniol, 13.98 mole percent nerol and 24.53 mole percent citronellol.The graphs are based on experiments run for a period of one hour withsix intervals of ten minutes each using as the insect to be tested themosquito (Aedes aegyptae). The results are tabulated in Table VI(A),infra.

FIG. 6B is a series of graphs depicted in three dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness or repellency of air and a mixture of 61.49 mole percentgeraniol, 13.98 mole percent nerol and 24.53 mole percent citronellol.The graphs are based on experiments run for a period of six hours withsix intervals of one hour each using as the insect to be tested themosquito (Aedes aegyptae). The results are tabulated in Table VI(B),infra.

FIG. 7A is a series of graphs depicted in three dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness and repellency of air and a mixture of 61.49 mole percentgeraniol, 13.98 mole percent nerol and 24.53 mole percent citronellol.The graphs are based on experiments run for a period of one hour withsix intervals of ten minutes each using as the insect to be tested themosquito (Aedes aegyptae). The results are tabulated in Table VII(A),infra.

FIG. 7B is a series of graphs depicted in three dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness and repellency of air and a mixture of 61.49 mole percentgeraniol, 13.98 mole percent nerol and 24.53 mole percent citronellol.The graphs are based on experiments run for a period of six hours withsix intervals of one hour each using as the insect to be tested themosquito (Aedes aegyptae). The results are tabulated in Table VII(B),infra.

FIG. 8A is a series of graphs depicted in three dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness or repellency of benzaldehyde, air, dihydrolinaloolhaving the structure: ##STR18## and the composition of matter TREO® (atrademark of Primavera Products Inc. of Northvale, N.J. TREO® isindicated to contain the following ingredients:

Octyl methoxycinnamate;

Benzophenone-3;

Octyl salicylate;

Water;

Glycerin;

Octylpalmitate;

PVP/Eicosene Copolymer;

Stearic Acid;

Cetyl Phosphate;

DEA Cetyl Phosphate;

Steapyrinium Chloride;

Cetyl Alcohol;

Dimethicone;

Glyceryl Stearate;

Imidazolidinyl Urea;

Methylparaben;

Propylparaben;

Butylated Hydroxy Anisole having the structure: ##STR19## and acomplicated mixture of perfumery materials including: D-Limonene;

Phenylethyl alcohol;

Cis-Hexenyl Acetate;

Alpha-Terpineol;

Benzyl Acetate;

Citronellol;

Geraniol;

Cyclamal;

4-Methoxy-2-ethylhexyl cinnamate having the structure: ##STR20##

Uvinol M-40 having the structure: ##STR21##

Cyclamal having the structure: ##STR22##

Lilial having the structure: ##STR23## The graphs are based onexperiments run for a period of one hour with six intervals of tenminutes each using as the insect to be tested the mosquito (Aedesaegyptae). The results are tabulated in Table VIII(A), infra.

FIG. 8B is a series of graphs depicted in three dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness or repellency of benzaldehyde, dihydrolinalool, air andTREO®. The graphs are based on experiments run for a period of six hourswith six intervals of one hour each using as the insect to be tested themosquito (Aedes aegyptae). The results are tabulated in Table VIII(B),infra.

FIG. 9 is a cut-away side elevation schematic diagram of a screwextruder during the compounding of a resin with insect attractants orrepellents including either the geraniol composition useful in ourinvention or one or more of the attractants, to wit:

Lavender absolute;

Benzoin;

Dimethyl benzyl carbinyl acetate;

Jasmine absolute;

Racemic borneol;

d-Limonene; and/or

Dihydro linalool

while simultaneously adding foaming agent into the hollow portion of thebarrel of the extruder and incorporates the pelletizing apparatus usedin the pelletizing of the extruded foamed tow product produced as aresult of the extrusion operation.

FIG. 10 is a cut-away side elevation view of the base section of theolfactometer apparatus used in carrying out the testing of theattractants or repellents of our invention indicating in schematic blockflow diagram form the utilization of computer-assisted efficacymeasuring apparatus; but showing only an air supply entry into the sideports of the olfactometer apparatus with the treatment agent beingcontained in a control release matrix upstream from the air supplysource.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an ellipsoidally shaped detergenttablet containing a solid core which includes fused foamed polymericparticles which contain insect repellents which are one of thegeraniol-containing compositions of our invention and, if desired, alsocontaining an additional polymer, e.g., polyethylene. The polymerparticles may, if desired, also contain additional aromatizing agents.

FIG. 12 is the top view of the ellipsoidally-shaped detergent Table X ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a cut-away front view of the ellipsoidally-shaped detergentTable X of FIG. 11 in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a side-view of the ellipsoidally-shaped detergent Tablet X ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a rectangular parallelepiped-shapeddetergent tablet containing a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped corecomprising a major proportion of fused foamed polymeric particles whichcontain insect repellents (e.g., one of the geraniol-containingcompositions of our invention) and may or may not be aromatized and, ifdesired, an additional polymer which may or may not contain insectrepellent compositions and which may or may not be aromatized.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped detergenttablet of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a cut-away front view of the rectangularparallelepiped-shaped tablet of FIG. 15 looking in the direction of thearrows in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an ellipsoidally-shaped detergenttablet containing a hollow insect repellent agent (and if desired anaromatizing agent) containing core which includes fused foamed polymericparticles containing insect repellent and if desired aromatizing agentor, in the alternative, a hollow core of fused foamed polymer whereinthe insect repellent (and if desired the aroma imparting agent) is inthe solid polymer and not in the void of the plastic core.

FIG. 19 is a top view of the ellipsoidally-shaped detergent tablet ofFIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a front cut-away view of the ellipsoidally-shaped detergenttablet of FIG. 18 looking in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 19, thecore thereof being hollow and either containing an insect repellentmaterial (and if desired an aroma imparting liquid) or in thealternative being a hollow core wherein the insect repellent material(and if desired the aroma imparting material) is in the solid fusedfoamed polymeric particles which make up the core and wherein the voiddoes not contain anything.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the semiochemical field trap fortesting the attractiveness or repellency for blood feeding arthropodsusing the geraniol-containing repellency composition of our invention orthe attractants of our invention which may be either:

Lavender absolute;

Benzoin;

Dimethyl benzyl carbinyl acetate;

Jasmine absolute;

Racemic borneol;

d-Limonene; and/or

Dyhydro Linalool.

The semiochemical field trap is described in detail in Application forU.S. Letters patent, Ser. No. 887,138 filed on May 22, 1992 thespecification for which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 22 is the GC-Mass spectrum for a market sample of TREO® marketed byPrimavera Products, Inc. of Northvale, N.J. (conditions: 50 meter×0.32mm FS-OV-1 column programmed from 50° C.-225° C. at 2° C. per minute).

FIG. 23 is a series of graphs depicted in three-dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness or repellency of various compositions of matter formosquitoes (Aedes aegyptae) of the materials:

(i) mixture containing 61.54 mole percent geraniol, 24.5 mole percentcitronellol and 13.98 mole percent nerol;

(ii) mixture containing 98.95 mole percent geraniol and 1.05 molepercent nerol;

(iii) mixture containing 81.8 mole percent geraniol, 11.66 mole percentcitronellol; and 6.53 mole percent nerol; and

(iv) air.

The graphs are based on experiments run for a total of one hour with sixintervals of ten minutes each. The results are tabulated in Table IX(A),infra.

FIG. 24 is a series of graphs depicted in three dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness or repellency for mosquitoes (Aedes aegyptae) of thefollowing compositions of matter:

(i) mixture of 61.54 mole percent geraniol, 24.5 mole percentcitronellol and 13.98 mole percent nerol;

(ii) mixture of 98.95 mole percent geraniol and 1.05 mole percent nerol;

(iii) mixture of 81.8 mole percent geraniol, 11.66 mole percentcitronellol and 6.53 mole percent nerol; and

(iv) air.

The graphs are based on experiments run for a total of six hours withsix intervals of one hour each. The results are tabulated in TableIX(B), infra.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the use of geraniol-containing compositionswhich contain 50-100% by weight geraniol having the structure: ##STR24##and the remainder of the composition being a compound selected from thegroup consisting of citronellol having the structure: ##STR25## andnerol having the structure: ##STR26## as insect repellents against houseflies (Musca domestica L. (Diptera:Muscidae)) and mosquitoes (Aedesaegyptae).

This invention also relates to the use of one or more of the materials:

Lavender absolute, Benzoin having the structure: ##STR27##

Dimethyl benzyl carbinyl acetate having the structure: ##STR28##

Jasmine absolute;

Racemic borneol having the structure: ##STR29##

d-limonene having the structure: ##STR30## and/or

Dihydro linalool having the structure: ##STR31## as attractants forhouse flies (Musca domestica L. (Diptera:Muscidae)) and mosquitoes(Aedes aegyptae).

Our invention also relates to the use of the foregoing insect repellentcompositions in personal soap compositions, for example, the insectrepellent soap composition described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,707,496 issuedon Nov. 17, 1987, the specification for which is incorporated byreference herein. Thus, in applying the teachings of U.S. Pat. No.4,707,496 to our invention, a topical insect repellent soap compositionand a method of protection using such a composition is described wherethe insect repellent soap composition comprises:

(i) from 63.0 up to 99.5% by weight of a soap mixture containing from4.1 to 7% by weight of a soap of caprylic acid, from 3.8 to 7% of a soapof capric acid, from 32.1 to 45% of a soap of lauric acid, from 12 to17.5% by weight of a soap of myristic acid, from 5.0 up to 10% by weightof a soap of palmitic acid, from 1.6% to 3% by weight of a soap ofstearic acid, from 3.5 to 5% by weight of a soap of oleic acid and from0.9 to 5% by weight of a soap of linoleic acid;

(ii) from 0.1 up to 2% by weight of C₈ -C₁₈ is straight chain fattyacids.

(iii) from 10 up to 30% by weight of one of the geraniol-containingcompositions of our invention as set forth, supra, and

(iv) from 0.2 up to 5% by weight of an effective residual insecticide asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,707,496.

Other insect repellent soaps can be produced by adding ageraniol-containing composition of our invention to one or more of thecompositions described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,909 issued onJun. 12, 1984 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,010 the specifications for whichare incorporated by reference herein. Described in said U.S. Pat. No.4,453,909 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,010 is a process for making a tabletof saop containing a perfume containing core, hollow or solid fabricatedfrom a hard plastic material either thermosetting or thermoplastic. Thesoap from the resulting composite tablet is useable until the core iswashed clean and contains functional ingredients, e.g., the repellentsdescribed, supra, and optionally, aromatizing agent until the core iswashed clean. This obviates the wastage of soap which normally occurs asa conventional soap tablet becomes very thin on use and at the same timegives rise to a continuously functional ingredient containing soap,(e.g., repellent and optionally aromatizing agent) tablet. Thus, thisinvention also relates to detergent bars having a plastic corecontaining a geraniol-containing composition and optionally, a perfume.More particularly, this invention relates to detergent bars intended forconventional toilet soap uses either as hand soaps or bath or showersoaps which are elastic or inelastic in nature but which contain a solidplastic core containing insect repellent and optionally perfume givingthem unique properties which alleviate wastage thereof and causes theenvironment surrounding the soap on use thereof to be both insectrepellent and optionally aromatized in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

Yet another aspect of our invention relates to the use of thegeraniol-containing repellents of our invention taken further incombination with N-(methyl toluyl)-methyl piperidines defined accordingto the structure: ##STR32## as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,463,855issued on Aug. 26, 1969, the specification for which is incorporated byreference herein. The compounds defined according to the structure:##STR33## include: N-(meta-toluyl)-2-methylpiperidine;

N-(meta-toluyl)-3-methylpiperidine; and

N-(meta-toluyl)-4-methylpiperidine.

The proportions of compounds defined according to the structure:##STR34## to the geraniol-containing composition described, supra, arebetween about 1 part N-(meta-toluyl) methylpiperidine:99 partsgeraniol-containing composition of our invention down to 99 partsgeraniol-containing composition of our invention:1partN-(meta-toluyl)-methylpiperidines.

In addition, the compositions useful in repelling insects of ourinvention can also contain 1-nonen-3-ol described and claimed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,693,890 and 4,759,228 issued on Jul. 26, 1988, thespecifications for which are incorporated by reference herein. The ratioof 1-nonen-3-ol:geraniol-containing composition of our invention usefulin repellent compositions may vary from about 1 part 1-nonen-3-ol:99parts geraniol-containing composition of our invention down to 99 parts1-nonen-3-ol:1 part geraniol-containing composition of our invention.

In addition to the soap fabrication, another aspect of our inventionrelates to the formation of repelling articles containing thegeraniol-containing compositions of our invention, that is, articlesuseful for repelling house flies (Musca domestica L. (Diptera:Muscidae))or mosquitoes (Aedes aegyptae) in combination with compatible polymerswhich may or may not be biodegradable (for example, high densitypolyethylene or low density polyethylene, or biodegradable polymers suchas biodegradable thermoplastic polyurethanes as disclosed in Japan KokkiTokyo Koho 92/13710 (abstracted at Chem. Abstracts Volume 116:236374q),biodegradable ethylene polymers having ester linkages in the main chainsuch as that disclosed by Japan Kokki Tokyo Koho 92/50224 (abstracted atChem. Abstracts Volume 116:236397z), biodegradable ethylene polymersdisclosed by Japan Kokki Tokyo Koho 92/50225 (abstracted at Chem.Abstracts Volume 116:126398a) and poly(epsilon caprolactone)homopolymers and compositions containing same as disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,496,467; 4,469,613 and 4,548,764 the specifications for which areincorporated herein by reference). Thus, another aspect of our inventionprovides a process for forming geraniol composition containing polymericparticles such as foamed polymeric pellets which include a relativelyhigh concentration of the geraniol-containing composition of ourinvention as defined, supra.

Thus, another aspect of our invention relates to the formation ofgeraniol-containing composition polymeric pellets by means ofintroduction into a single or twin screw extruder, in series, athermoplastic polymer followed by the geraniol-containing composition ofour invention which is compatible with the thermoplastic polymer, inturn, (optionally) followed by introduction of gaseous blowing agent orblowing agent which will produce a gas which is inert to the polymer andto the geraniol-containing composition previously introduced into theextruder.

The advantages of using a foamed polymeric particle are multiple, towit:

improved handling;

greater retention of the geraniol-containing composition when not inuse;

greater length of time during which the release of thegeraniol-containing composition of our invention from the polymer is at"steady state" or "0 order".

The nature of the extruder utilized in the process of our invention toform the geraniol-containing composition-containing polymer particles ofour invention may be either single screw or double screw. Thus, thetypes of extruder that can be used are disclosed at pages 246-267 and332-349 of the Modern Plastics Encylopedia, 1982-1983, published by theMcGraw-Hill Publishing Company, the disclosure of which is incorporatedby reference herein. More specifically, examples of extruders which areuseable in carrying out one of the processes of our invention (withmodification for introduction of the geraniol-containing compositions ofour invention) downstream from the introduction of the polymer and withfurther modification that the gaseous blowing agent is introduced stillfurther downstream from the point of introduction of thegeraniol-containing composition of our invention are as follows:

1. The Welex "Super Twinch" 3.5" extruder manufactured by WelexIncorporated, 850 Jolly Road, Blue Bell, Pa. 19422;

2. Krauss-Maffei twin screw extruder manufactured by the Krauss-MaffeiCorporation/Extruder Division, 3629 West 30th Street South, Wichita,Kans. 67277;

3. Modified Sterling model 4000 and 5000 series extruder manufactured bySterling Extruder Corporation of 901 Durham Avenue, South Plainfield,N.J.;

4. CRT ("Counter-Rotating Tangential"), Twin Screw Extruder manufacturedby Welding Engineers, Inc. of King of Prussia, Pa. 19406;

5. The Leistritz Twin Screw Dispersion Compounder manufactured by theAmerican Leistritz Extruder Corporation of 198 U.S. Route 206 South,Somerville, N.J. 08876;

6. The ZSK Twin Screw Co-Rotating Extruder manufactured by the Werner &Pfleiderer Corporation of 663 East Crescent Avenue, Ramsey, N.J. 07446;

7. The Farrel Extruder manufactured by Farrel Connecticut Division,Emhart Machinery Group, Ansonia, Conn. 06401;

8. The MPC/V Baker Perkins Twin Screw Extruder manufactured by the BakerPerkins Inc. Chemical Machinery Division of Saginaw, Mich. 48601; and

9. The Berstorff single screw, twin screw, or foam extrusion equipmentmanufactured by Berstorff Corporation, P. O. Box 240357, 8200-A ArrowingBlvd., Charlotte, N.C. 28224.

In producing the geraniol-containing composition-containing polymerparticles of our invention, various polymers may be utilized, forexample, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene,polypropylene, the co-polymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate, andpolyvinyl chloride. More specifically, the polymers used in the practiceof our invention may be co-polymers of ethylene and a polar vinylmonomer selected from (a) vinyl acetate; (b) ethyl acrylate; (c) methylacrylate; (d) butyl acrylate and (e) acrylic acid including thehydrolyzed co-polymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate. Preferredco-polymers are ethylene/vinyl acetate with about 9 to 60% vinyl acetateand ethylene/ethyl acrylate with about 6 to 18% ethyl acrylate.

Resins of the type disclosed for use as co-polymers are commericallyavailable in the molding powder form; for example, ethylene vinylacetate co-polymers are marketed by the E. I. dupont Nemours Companyunder the tradename "ELVAX® and by the Arco Polymer Division under thetrademark "DYLAND® and by the Exxon Corporation of Linden, N.J. underthe trademark "DEXXON®. Ethylene/ethyl acrylate co-polymers are marketedby Union Carbide Corporation under the trademark "EEA RESIN®.

The polymer is added to the single screw or twin screw extruder at afeed rate in the range of from about 80 up to about 300 pounds per hourwhile maintaining the temperature of the screw extruder between about160° C. and about 240° C. If the polymer or co-polymer powder is addedto the extruder at a reference "barrel segment", then thegeraniol-containing composition of our invention is added to theextruder under pressure downstream from the retention point of thepolymer at one or more of "barrel segments" (S-2, S-3, S-5, S-6, S-7,S-8 or S-9)(referring to FIG. 9 briefly described, supra, and describedin detail, infra).

The proportion of geraniol-containing composition (taken furthertogether with other insect repelling materials, if desired) to resin canvary from small but effective amounts on the order of about 1% of theweight of the resin body up about 45% by weight of the resin body. Ingeneral, it is preferred to use between about 5% up to about 30% basedon the weight of the resin body of insect repellent composition of ourinvention. This is an optimum amount balancing the proportion of theinsect repellent composition of our invention against the time periodover which the article emits the insect repellent composition andagainst the tendency of the components of the insect repellentcomposition to oil out either individually or in combination. This"oiling out" is specifically avoided as a result of the use of thefoaming agent discussed, infra.

Various polymers are useful in the practice of our invention. Specificexamples of polymers useful in the practice of our invention are asfollows:

(a) DYLAN® brand of low density polyethylene DYLAN® is a trademark ownedby the Atlantic Richfield Company of Los Angeles, Calif.;

(b) DYLITE® of expandable polystyrene composition, DYLITE® is atrademark of Atlantic Richfield Company of Los Angeles, Calif.;

(c) SUPER DYLAN® is a trademark of the Atlantic Richfield Company of LosAngeles, Calif.;

(d) Blended polyethylene and carbon black as specifically taught in U.S.Pat. No. 4,369,267 issued on Jan. 18, 1983, the specification for whichis incorporated by reference herein;

(e) Polystyrene as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,227 issued on Jan.18, 1983, the specification for which is incorporated by referenceherein;

(f) Polyene/alpha-olefin as exemplified and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,369,291, the specification for which is incorporated by referenceherein;

(g) Poly-alpha-olefins as exemplified in Canadian Letters Patent No.1,137,069 issued on Dec. 7, 1982, the specification for which isincorporated by reference herein;

(h) Polymeric compositions as disclosed in Canadian Letters Patent No.1,137,068 issued on Dec. 7, 1982, the specification for which isincorporated by reference herein;

(i) Poly-alpha-olefins disclosed in Canadian Letters Patent No.1,137,067, the specification for which is incorporated by referenceherein;

(j) Polyolefins described in Canadian Letters Patent No. 1,137,066, thespecification for which is incorporated by reference herein;

(k) Polyethylene oxides as disclosed in Canadian Letters Patent No.1,137,065 issued on Dec. 7, 1982, the specification for which isincorporated by reference herein;

(l) Olefin polymers and co-polymers as disclosed in Canadian LettersPatent No. 1,139,737, the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference herein. Canadian Letters Patent No. 1,139,737 was issued onJan. 18, 1983;

(m) Polyolefins disclosed in Canadian Letters Patent No. 1,139,738, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. CanadianLetters Patent No. 1,139,738 was issued on Jan. 18, 1983;

(n) Chlorinated PVC as disclosed in Polymer 1982, 23 (7,Suppl.), 1051-6abstracted at Chem. Abstracts Volume 97:14550y, 1982;

(o) Polyepsilon caprolactone co-polymers made by means of alcoholinitiated polymerization as disclosed in J. Polym. Sci. Polym. Chem. Ed.1982, 20(2), pages 319-26, abstracted at Chem. Abstracts, Volume96:123625x, 1982;

(p) Styrene acrylonitrile co-polymers as disclosed in Diss. AbstractsInt. B, 1982, 42(8), 3346 and abstracted at Chem. Abstractss Volume96:143770n, (1982);

(q) Co-polymers of epsilon caprolactone with 1,4-butane diol asdisclosed at Kauch Rezine, 1982, (2), 8-9, abstracted at Chem. AbstractsVolume 96:182506g (1982);

(r) Polyesters as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,010, thespecification for which is incorporated by reference herein;

(s) Chlorinated polyethylene as disclosed by Belorgey, et al, J. Polym.Sci. Plym. Ed. 1982, 20(2), 191-203;

(t) Plasticized polyepsilon caprolactone co-polymers containing dimethylphthalate plasticizers as set forth in Japanese Patent No. J81/147844,abstracted at Chem. Abstracts Volume 96:69984y (1982), the specificationfor which is incorporated by reference herein;

(u) Maleic anhydride modified adducts of polyepsilson caprolactonepolyols and ethylenically unsaturated monomer as disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 4,137,279 issued on Jan. 30, 1979, the specification for which isincorporated by reference herein;

(v) Polyurethane polymers having lactone backbones as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,156,067 issued on May 22, 1979, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein;

(w) Polyurethane polyether resins wherein the resin is obtained byreacting a polyfunctional lactone with a long chain polyalkylene dioland a urethane precursor as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,355,550 issuedon Mar. 10, 1981, the disclosure of which is incorporated by referenceherein; and

(x) Resins having polyurethane backbones as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,975,350 issued on Aug. 17, 1976, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein.

Examples of poly(epsilon caprolactone) homopolymers as set forth, forexample, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,467 are those having the structures:##STR35## wherein n represents an integer of from about 500 up to about1200 with the proviso that the average "n" varies from about 600 up toabout 800.

Downstream from the addition point of the geraniol-containingcomposition of our invention taken alone or taken together with otherinsect repellent agents and fragrance materials, optionally, the gaseousor liquid containing blowing agent may be added (e.g., at "barrelsegments" (S-5, S-6, S-7, S-8, S-9 or S-10) using the polymer addition"barrel segment" as a refrence "barrel segment" S-1. Examples of thegaseous blowing agents are carbon dioxide, nitrogen, mixtures ofnitrogen and carbon dioxide in proportions of from 1 up to 99% by volumenitrogen and from 99 down to 1% by volume carbon dioxide, helium,mixtures of helium and nitrogen, mixtures of helium and carbon dioxideand other gases which are inert at the temperature and pressure of thepolymer at the time of the extrusion operation. Thus, gas containingoxygen or other reactive gases, e.g., hydrogen, should be avoided. Thepressure of the gas blowing agent being added to the extruder at thepoint of addition may vary from about 80 to about 150 psig. Higherpressures may be used without adversely affecting the usefulness of thefoamed insect repellent composition-containing particle.

The feed rate range of insect repellent composition-containing but notlimited to the geraniol-containing compositions of our invention, may bebetween about 0.5% up to about 45% by weight of the polymer.

The dies of the extruder may create rod, sheet, film or ribbon. Theresulting product may then, if desired, be pelletized to form insectrepellent composition-containing polymer particles or the ribbon may beused "as is" as an insect repellent-containing polymeric article ofmanufacture itself.

In addition to the optional gaseous blowing agents (which arenecessarily "inert" gases), blowing agents may be added at the samepoint on the extruder which will create gaseous voids in the insectrepellent-containing polymer articles of our invention and these"blowing agents" are well known to one having ordinary skill in the art.Examples of such non-gaseous containing materials which yield gases onadmixture with the polymer in the extruder but which are still insert tothe insect repellent (or attractant as the case may be) are as follows:

(i) Under high pressure, ethylene, methane, propane, butane, propylene,methyl chloride, methyl bromide, vinyl chloride and methylene dichlorideas more specifically described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,387,730, thespecification for which is incorporated by reference herein;

(ii) Ordinarily liquid material such as n-pentane, isopentane,cyclopentane, hexane and petroleum ether fractions or halogenhydrocarbons such as CFCl₃, CF₂ Cl₂, CH₃ Cl, CH₂ Cl₂ separately or inadmixture with one another as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,758,425,column 4, line 1-5, the specification for which is incorporated byreference herein;

(iii) Dichlorotetrafluoromethane, tetramethylmethane,monochlorodifluoromethane, dichlorodifluoromethane, anddichlorotetrafluoromethane as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,948,664 and2,948,665 issued on Aug. 9, 1990, the specification for which isincorporated by reference herein; and

(iv) Azo bis(formamide), diazoaminobenzene: N,N-dinitrosopentamethylenetetramine; N,N-dimethyl, N,N-dinitrosoterephthalamide;p,p'-oxy-bia(-benzen sulfonyl semicarbazide); aza bis-(isobutyronitrile)p,p'-oxy-bis(benzene sulfonyl hydrazide); p,p'-diphenyl-bis(sulfonylhydrazide); benzene-sulfonyl hydrazide; m-benzene-bis(sulfonylhydrazide) as more specifically described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,298,975issued on Jan. 17, 1967, the specification for which is incorporated byreference herein.

The resulting extruded (and, if desired, pelletized) material may thenbe, for example, injection molded to form a useful article. Suchinjection molding can be carried out in accordance with the procedure asset forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,268,636 issued on Aug. 23, 1966, thespecification for which is incorporated by reference herein.

In addition, our invention relates to candle body materials which on useare both insect repellent and perfuming which contain thegeraniol-containing composition of our invention and, if desired, otherinsect repellent materials including, for example, at least one of thecompounds having the structure: ##STR36## in order to repel house flies(Musca domestica L. (Diptera:Muscidae)) and/or mosquitoes (Aedesaegyptae).

The house fly and mosquito-repellent-perfuming compositions which formpart of the candle body materials are within the followingspecifications:

(I) from 5 up to 100% by weight of an efficacious perfuming/insectrepellent composition containing the geraniol-containing composition ofour invention; and

(II) from 0 up to 95% by weight of a standard perfuming substance(non-insect repellent or insect repellent) which may include but is notlimited to:

1-nonen-3-ol;

1-octen-4-ol;

alpha-damascone;

beta-damascone;

delta-damascone;

trans,trans delta-damascone;

methyl jasmonate;

dihydromethyl jasmonate;

the schiff base of vanillin and methyl anthranilate;

the schiff base of ethyl vanillin and methyl anthranilate;

vanillin; and

ethyl vanillin.

The foregoing formula may require a solubilizing agent, e.g., the methylester of dihydroabietic acid (commerical name: HERCOLYN D®), benzylbenzoate, isopropyl myristate and/or C₁₂ -C₁₄ isoparaffin hydrocarbons.

The candle base composition can be standard paraffin wax, or it can betransparent or pastel shaded as more particularly described in U.S. Pat.No. 3,615,289 issued on Oct. 26, 1971 (the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein) and wherein the candle body comprisesas the basic components a mixture of:

(i) a thermoplastic polyamide resin formed from linoleic acidpolymerized with a polyamine compound;

(ii) an alkanol amide or alkanol amine; and

(iii) a stearic acid compound.

The weight ratio of candle body:insect repellent/perfumant substance orour invention may vary from about 0.8% up to about 10% with a range offrom about 0.8% up to about 2.0% being preferred when no non-insectrepelling perfume oil is used in conjunction with thegeraniol-containing composition of our invention; and with a range offrom about 1.5% up to about 10% by weight of the overall compositionbeing preferred when a non-insect repelling perfume oil is used inconjunction with the geraniol-containing composition of our invention.

Specifically, the polyamide may be a "VERSAMID® resin which is athermoplastic condensation product of polymerized linoleic acid withvarious polyamine compounds such as ethylene diamine, ethylene triamineand the like. Specific "VERSAMID® compounds are "VERSAMID®900","VERSAMID®930", "VERSAMID®940", "VERSAMID®948", "VERSAMID®950" and"VERSAMID®1635". These compounds are products of the Henkel ChemicalCorporation of Minneapolis, Minn.

Another substance required in the clear candle composition consists ofabout 20-55% by weight of an alkanol amine or alkanol amide prepared bythe reaction of a fatty acide ester and amine whereby the ester and theamine are in substantially equal proportions, for example, compoundssuch as BARLOL®12C2 (manufactured by the Barold Chemical Company) amonoalkyl diethanolamine having 8 to 18% carbon atoms in the alkylchain. A third component of the clear plastic candle compositioncomprises one or more stearic acid esters or a mixture of stearic acidesters and stearic acid. These esters include such compounds asisopropyl isostearate, butyl stearate and hexadecyl stearate. Thesestearic acid compounds serve as stabilizing agents which permit theready incorporation of the insect repellent/perfumant compositions ofour invention up to a level of approximately 5% (total proportion ofperfume oil-insect repellent composition). They are carriers for theperfumant/insect repellent and may be used in a proportion of between 1and 50% by weight of the composition although the preferable range isbetween 20 to 30%. In this connection it is possible to use up to about10% by weight of a perfumant/insect repellent if part of the formula isreplaced by the material "NEVEX®100", a product which is acoumarin-indene copolymer resin of very little unsaturation manufacturedby the Neville Chemical Company.

Rather than being a crystalline paraffin wax the candle base of ourinvention may be an oil gel that has as its base a light mineral oil, aninexpensive natural oil or a combination of such oils which oil gel hasa non-greasy surface and feel and sufficient rigidity to beself-supporting at room temperature. Such a gel is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 3,645,705 issued on Feb. 29, 1972, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein. Such compositions of matter include:

(a) from about 35% up to about 85% by weight of an oil which is normallyliquid at room temperature chosen from the group consisting of lightmineral oils and natural oils having iodine values substantially withinthe range of 40-135;

(b) from about 7% up to about 40% by weight of a long chain polyamidehaving a molecular weight substantially within the range of 6000-9000and a softening point substantially within the range of 18° C.-48° C.;and

(c) from about 7% up to about 30% of an alcohol selected from the groupconsisting of 8 to 12 carbon primary alcohols.

Similarly, when used in insect traps, the attractants of our compositioncan be used in the same polymers as the repellents. Thus, for example,our invention contemplates one or a combination of the attractants (at alevel of from about 1% up to about 45% by weight of the polymercomposition):

lavender absolute;

benzoin having the structure: ##STR37##

dimethyl benzyl carbinyl acetate having the structure: ##STR38##

jasmine absolute;

racemic borneol having the structure: ##STR39##

d-limonene having the structure: ##STR40##

dihydro linalool having the structure: ##STR41## imbedded in theinterstices of a microporous polymer which may be one of the polymers asset forth, supra.

Furthermore, the insect attractant-containing polymers of our inventionmay be insect attractant-containing biodegradable polymers as set forth,supra.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The data set forth in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 8Aand 8B were determined using the olfactometer of FIG. 10 and the insecttrap of FIG. 21. Referring to the olfactometer of FIG. 10, saidolfactometer is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,711 issued onJun. 2, 1992, the specification for which is incorporated by referenceherein.

Referring to FIG. 10, air supply source 3634 provides air to mixingstation 3636 wherein the air is mixed with treatment agent fromtreatment agent source 3635 (source of, for example, the repellent a50-100% geraniol-containing composition or the attractant, lavenderabsolute). The resulting mixture passes through tube 3636g and entersthe apparatus through the side portals. The entry is through a spacerplate and above base plate 3625. The entry of the air-treatment agent isin a direction parallel to the surface of base plate 3625. Thus, thebase plate 3625 is separated from spacer plate 3629 for theair-treatment agent (e.g., the geraniol-containing composition of ourinvention).

Air exits through line 3633a using exhaust fan 3633. The air exit isindicated by reference numeral 3537.

Simultaneously, with the supplying of air and treatment agent frommixing station 3636, light is supplied from beneath the enclosed insectfeeding and/or stimulating means through light guides 3652, from lightsource 3551 which is powered by electric power supply 3550 marketed byRADIO SHACK® Division of Tandy Corporation of Fort Worth, Tex. 76102under the trademark ARCHER®, Catalog No. 276-228 ("1.0 mm opticalplastic fiber length 5 meter"). An example of light source 3551 isKRATOS Monochromatic Illuminator GM 100 Miniature VIS-IR GratingMonochromator (Model No. GM 100-1, GM 100-2, GM 100-3 or GM 100-4) asmanufactured by KRATOS Analytical Instruments Corporation, 170 WilliamsDrive, Ramsey, N.J. 07446. Another light supply source is the KRATOS GM200 Double Grating Monochromator. Another example of a useful lightsource is the KRATOS GM 252 High Intensity Grating Monochromator. Thebase plate 3625 is also separated from the spacer plate 3629 for thelight guides 3652 whereby the light guides 3652 are held in place in thebase plate 3625 whereby the light (or other forms of radiation) isdirected in a direction perpendicular to the electrical sensor element3610. Air supply source from location 3634 and treatment agent fromlocation 3635 is mixed at mixing station 3636 whereupon treatment agentand air in admixture is passed through lines 3636a and 3636g throughportals located in the spacer element 3628 in a direction along adirectional vector parallel to the electrical sensing element 3610 heldin place by holders 3610a and 3610b. The electrical sensing elements arelocated directly below the horizontally positioned insect feeding and/orstimulating microporous substantially planar lamina 3670 which is heldin place by ring 3660 located on spacer plate 3629 spaced from the baseplate 3625 by spacer ring 3628. It should be noted that the spacer plate3629, spacer ring 3628 and base plate 3625 enclose the entire "enclosedinsect feeding and/or stimulating means" which have controlled limitedaccess to the external environment surrounding the apparatus and inwhich the insects to be tested, e.g., mosquitoes or house flies areplaced.

The insect attractant quantitative detecting means made up of wires 3699(the entire grid being denoted using reference numeral 3610) is locatedimmediately beneath the porous membrane 3670, the outer surface of whichcontains a feeding stimulant composition or stimulant composition forinsects (for example, agar). Immersed in the feeding stimulatecomposition or stimulant composition for insects (e.g., agar) iselectrode 3679 connected to wire 3619 which connects with either wire3619a or 3619b which is connected to the grid wires 3699 (which make upthe insect attractant quantitative detecting means located immediatelybelow lamina 3670).

As stated, supra, the sensor causes an electrical impulse caused by thepressure of the insects landing to proceed through wires 3619a and 3619bto an electrically biased differential amplifier 3639 (using electricalpower supply 3539) also connected to wire 3619c which is connected tothe electrode 3679 which is immersed in the feeding stimulantcomposition or stimulant for the insect and then to a multi-channel A.C.converter 3523. Converter 3523 is associated with program tape storage3524, printer 3520 and data link to digital computer 3521. Differentialamplifer 3639 is connected in series to electrical bias for psuedo host3669 which in turn is connected to wire 3619 which in turn is connectedto the electrode 3679 immersed in the insect stimulant compositionlocated on the surface of porous lamina 3670.

Referring to the testing apparatus, the semiochemical field trap 1000for blood feeding arthopods, field trap 1000 is located in a three-spacewith axes perpendicular to one another. The semiochemical field trap1000 is shown in perspective view in FIG. 21 comprising:

(1) an upright vertically disposed housing;

(2) extending outwardly from the housing a plurality of horizontallydisposed hollow housings 116a and 116b which have contained thereininsect sticky traps;

(3) air 138 and/or carbon dioxide supply means 134, 136 for supplyingair and/or carbon dioxide into the vertical hollow housing and thenthrough the plurality of horizontally disposed hollow housings 116a and116b; and

(4) at least one power supply means for energizing radiation meanslocated on the vertical hollow housing

whereby on engagement of the power supply means with the radiation meansand operation of the air 138 and/or carbon dioxide supply means 134,136, arthropods in the vicinity of the trap are attracted by theactivated radiation means and the gas emanating from the horizontallydisposed hollow housing 116a to a location so close to the trap 1000that in the event that an attracting semiochemical located in thehousings 116a and 116b is detected by at least one of the arthropods, atleast one of the arthropods will enter the inner void of thehorizontally disposed hollow housings 116a and 116b counter current thegas stream emanating therefrom and remain permanently entrapped therein.

The semiochemical field trap 1000 of FIG. 21 is disclosed in detail inApplication for U.S. Letters Patent, Ser. No. 887,138 filed on May 22,1992, the specification for which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 1 is a series of graphs depicted in three-dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness or repellency of air, lavender absolute and a mixturecontaining 61.49 mole percent geraniol, 13.98 mole percent nerol and24.53 mole percent citronellol with respect to attractiveness orrepellency of Aedes aegyptae. The graph indicated by reference numeral101 is for air. The graph indicated by reference numeral 103 is forlavender absolute. The graph indicated by reference numeral 105 is forthe mixture containing 61.49 mole percent geraniol, 13.98 mole percentnerol and 24.53 mole percent citronellol. The "X" axis along which theparticular materials are measured insofar as their attractiveness orrepellency is concerned is indicated by reference numeral 107. Thenumber of insects collected per interval is indicated on the "Y" axisand the "Y" axis is indicated by reference numeral 100. The results aretabulated in Table I as follows:

                  TABLE I                                                         ______________________________________                                        Composition                                                                            Graph                                                                Tested   No.     Insects Collected per Interval                               ______________________________________                                        Geraniol/                                                                              105     0     3     1   0    0  0     0                              Nerol/                                                                        Citronellol                                                                   Mixture                                                                       Air      101     0     34   62   47  38  160   70                             Lavender 103     0     2    92  211  13  0     1                              Absolute                                                                      ______________________________________                                    

FIG. 2 is a series of graphs depicted in three-dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness or repellency of benzoin and a mixture containing 61.49mole percent geraniol, 13.98 mole percent nerol and 24.53 mole percentcitronellol with reference to attractiveness or repellency for Aedesaegyptae. The graph indicated by reference numeral 201 is the graph forthe mixture of geraniol, nerol and citronellol. The graph indicated byreference numeral 203 is the graph for benzoin. The results aretabulated in Table II, as follows:

                  TABLE II                                                        ______________________________________                                        Composition                                                                            Graph                                                                Tested   No.     Insects collected per Interval                               ______________________________________                                        Benzoin  203     0      88   445  501  92  166  304                           Mixture of                                                                             201     0      10    29   13  21   37   9                            Geraniol,                                                                     Nerol and                                                                     Citronellol                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

FIG. 3 is a series of graphs depicted in three-dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness or repellency of the materials:

Tridecene nitrile;

Air;

Jasmine absolute;

Dimethyl benzyl carbinyl acetate;

Mixture of 81.28% mole percent geraniol and 18.72 mole percent mixtureof nerol and citronellol (mole ratio of citronellol:nerol being 1.78).

The test data is for Musca domestica L. (Diptera:Muscidae) (the housefly). The graph indicated by reference numeral 307 is the graph for thegeraniol-nerol-citronellol mixture. The graph indicated by referencenumeral 305 is for the dimethyl benzyl carbinyl acetate. The graphindicated by reference numeral 303 is for jasmine absolute. The graphindicated by reference numeral 302 is for air. The graph indicated byreference numeral 300 is for tridecene nitrile. The results aretabulated in Table III as follows:

                  TABLE III                                                       ______________________________________                                        Composition                                                                            Graph                                                                Tested   No.     Insects Collected per Interval                               ______________________________________                                        Mixture of                                                                             307     0       2   16   4    10   0   4                             Geraniol,                                                                     Nerol and                                                                     Citronellol                                                                   Dimethyl 305     0      44   20   14   58  13  15                             benzyl                                                                        carbinyl                                                                      acetate                                                                       Jasmine  303     0      16   187  23   16  23  16                             absolute                                                                      Air      302     0       4   11    5    5   5  385                            Tridecene        0      10   23    8    1  10   2                             nitrile                                                                       ______________________________________                                    

FIG. 4 is a series of graphs depicted in three-dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness or repellency of air and a mixture of 61.49 mole percentgeraniol, 13.98 mole percent nerol and 24.53 mole percent citronellol.The data is with respect to attractancy or repellency against Aedesaegyptae. The graph indicated by reference numeral 401 is for air. Thegraph indicated by reference numeral 400 is for thegeraniol-nerol-citronellol mixture. The results are tabulated in TableIV as follows:

                  TABLE IV                                                        ______________________________________                                        Composition                                                                   Tested   Graph                                                                Interval No.     Insects Collected per Two Hr.                                ______________________________________                                        Geraniol-                                                                              400     0      4    1    4    4    2    20                           Nerol-                                                                        Citronellol                                                                   Mixture                                                                       Air      401     0     157  148  293  278  246  329                           ______________________________________                                    

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are series of graphs depicted in three-dimensions(in a rectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness and repellency of air, d-limonene, a mixture containing61.49 mole percent geraniol, 13.98 mole percent nerol and 24.53 molepercent citronellol, and borneol (racemic). The graphs indicated byreference numerals 502a, 502b and 502c respectively on FIGS. 5a, 5b and5c are for d-limonene. The graphs indicated by reference numerals 501a,501b and 501c are for the geraniol-nerol-citronellol mixtures. Thegraphs indicated by reference numerals 500a, 500b and 500c are forborneol (racemic). The graphs indicated by reference numerals 503b and503c are for air. The results are tabulated in Tables V(A), V(B) andV(C) as follows:

                  TABLE V(A)                                                      ______________________________________                                        Composition                                                                            Graph   Insects Collected Per Interval (10 minute                    Tested   No.     Intervals Totalling one Hour)                                ______________________________________                                        D-limonene                                                                             502 a   0      26  324  102  510  146   5                            Geraniol-                                                                              501 a   0      0    0    0    0    0    0                            Nerol-                                                                        Citronellol                                                                   Mixture                                                                       Borneol  500 a   0     133   87  238  167  232  191                           (Racemic)                                                                     ______________________________________                                         Data for Aedes aegyptae.                                                 

                  TABLE V(B)                                                      ______________________________________                                        Composition                                                                            Graph   Insects Collected Per Interval (One Hour                     Tested   No.     Intervals Totalling Six Hours)                               ______________________________________                                        D-limonene                                                                             502 b   0     5    113  155  117  167  128                           Air      503 b   0     4     34   46  116  156  184                           Mixture of                                                                             501 b   0     0     0    0    0    0    0                            Geraniol,                                                                     Nerol and                                                                     Citronellol                                                                   Borneol  500 b   0     191  165  184  214  171  233                           (Racemic)                                                                     ______________________________________                                         Insects tested for: Aedes aegyptae.                                      

                  TABLE V(C)                                                      ______________________________________                                        Composition                                                                            Graph   Insects Collected Per Interval (Two Hour                     Tested   No.     Intervals Totalling Twelve Hours)                            ______________________________________                                        D-limonene                                                                             502 c   0     128  130  169  70   109  128                           Air      503 c   0     184   73   91  93    80   34                           Mixture of                                                                    Geraniol,                                                                     Nerol and                                                                              501 c   0      0    2    8    6    1    1                            Citronellol                                                                   Borneol                                                                       (Racemic)                                                                              500 c   0     233  247  155  175  139  202                           ______________________________________                                         Insects Tested For: Aedes aegyptae.                                      

FIGS. 6A and 6B are series of graphs depicted in three-dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness and repellency for Aedes aegyptae of air and a mixturecontaining 61.49 mole percent geraniol, 13.98 mole percent nerol and24.53 mole percent citronellol. The graphs indicated by referencenumerals 603a and 603b are for air. The graphs indicated by referencenumerals 601a and 601b are for the geraniol-nerol-citronellol mixtures.The results are tabulated in Tables VI(A) and VI(B) as follows:

                  TABLE VI(A)                                                     ______________________________________                                        Composition                                                                            Graph   Insects Collected Per Interval (Ten                          Tested   No.     Minute Intervals Totalling One Hour                          ______________________________________                                        Air      603 a   0     230  382  381  268  374  456                           Geraniol-                                                                              601 a   0      5    0    0    0    0    0                            Nerol-                                                                        Citronellol                                                                   Composition                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE VI(B)                                                     ______________________________________                                        Composition                                                                   Hour     Graph   Insects Collected Per Interval (One                          Tested   No.     Intervals Totalling Six Hours)                               ______________________________________                                        Air      603 b   0     456  269  246  371  316  287                           Geraniol-                                                                              601 a   0      0    0    0    3    2    0                            Nerol-                                                                        Citronellol                                                                   Composition                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

FIGS. 7A and 7B are series of graphs depicted in three-dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness or repellency for Aedes aegyptae of the followingmaterials: air and the mixture containing 61.49 mole percent geraniol,13.98 mole percent nerol and 24.53 mole percent citronellol. The graphsindicated by reference numerals 703a and 703b are for air. The graphsindicated by reference numerals 701a and 701b are for thegeraniol-nerol-citronellol mixture.

The results are tabulated in Tables VII(A) and VII(B) below:

                  TABLE VII(A)                                                    ______________________________________                                        Composition                                                                            Graph   Insects Collected Per Interval (Ten                          Tested   No.     Minute Intervals Totalling One Hour)                         ______________________________________                                        Air      703 a   0     84   404  303  24   323  550                           Geraniol-                                                                              701 a   0      0    0    0    1    1    0                            Nerol-                                                                        Citronellol                                                                   Composition                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE VII(B)                                                    ______________________________________                                        Composition                                                                   Hour     Graph   Insects Collected Per Interval (One                          Tested   No.     Intervals Totalling Six Hours)                               ______________________________________                                        Air      703 b   0     550  254  324  360  370  281                           Geraniol-                                                                              701 b   0      0    0    0    0    0    0                            Nerol-                                                                        Citronellol                                                                   Mixture                                                                       ______________________________________                                    

FIGS. 8A and 8B are a series of graphs depicted in three-dimensions (ina rectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness or repellency for Aedes aegyptae for the followingmaterials: air, dihydrolinalool, TREO® (trademark of Primavera Products,Inc. of Northvale, N.J.) and benzaldehyde.

The graphs indicated by reference numerals 83a and 83b are for air. Thegraphs indicated by reference numerals 82a and 82b are fordihydrolinalool. The graphs indicated by reference numerals 81a and 81bare for TREO®. The graphs indicated by reference numerals 80a and 80bare for benzaldehyde. The results are tabulated in Tables VIII(A) andVIII(B) as follows:

                  TABLE VIII(A)                                                   ______________________________________                                        Composition                                                                            Graph   Insects Collected Per Interval (Ten                          Tested   No.     Minute Intervals Totalling One Hour)                         ______________________________________                                        Air      83 a    0     309  355  194  249  104   97                           Dihydro- 82 a    0     308  347  343  162  225  192                           linalool                                                                      TREO®                                                                              81 a    0     372  332  463  317  314  231                           Benzaldehyde                                                                           80 a    0     148  103  215  164  194  269                           ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE VIII(B)                                                   ______________________________________                                        Composition                                                                   Hour     Graph   Insects Collected Per Interval (One                          Tested   No.     Intervals Totalling Six Hours)                               ______________________________________                                        Air      83 b    0     218  161  200  194  158  233                           Dihydro- 82 b    0     263  332  290  228  312  287                           linalool                                                                      TREO®                                                                              81 b    0     338  365  374  313  280  230                           Benzaldehyde                                                                           80 b    0     182  152   78  103   48  184                           ______________________________________                                    

FIG. 22 is the GC mass spectrum for the TREO® product tested as shown inTables VIII(A) and VIII(B) and in FIGS. 8A and 8B. (Conditions: 50meter×0.32 mm FS-OV-1 column programmed at 50°-225° C. at 2° C. perminute). The peak indicated by reference numeral 2117 is for cis-hexenylacetate having the structure: ##STR42##

The peak indicated by reference numeral 2115 is the peak for d-limomenehaving the structure: ##STR43##

The peak indicated by reference numeral 2101 is for phenylethyl alcoholhaving the structure: ##STR44##

The peak indicated by reference numeral 2100 is for linalool having thestructure: ##STR45##

The peak indicated by reference numeral 2116 is for benzyl acetatehaving the structure: ##STR46##

The peak indicated by reference numeral 2103 is for alpha-terpineolhaving the structure: ##STR47##

The peak indicated by reference numeral 2102 is for citronellol havingthe structure: ##STR48##

The peak indicated by reference numeral 2104 is for geraniol having thestructure: ##STR49##

The peak indicated by reference numeral 2105 is for cyclamal having thestructure: ##STR50##

The peak indicated by reference numeral 2107 is for butylated hydroxyanisole having the structure: ##STR51##

The peak indicated by reference numeral 2106 is the peak for lilialhaving the structure: ##STR52##

The peaks indicated by reference numerals 2110 and 2108 are for theTREO® base. The peak indicated by reference numeral 2112 is forUVINOL®M-40 having the structure: ##STR53##

The peak indicated by reference numeral 2114 is for4-methoxy-2-ethylhexyl cinnamate having the structure: ##STR54##

A preferred embodiment of our invention comprises anellipsoidally-shaped detergent tablet 830 containing a solid plasticcore 832 which can be fabricated from, for example, polyethylene,polypropylene, nylon, a biodegradable polymer such as poly(epsiloncaprolactone) or any polymer capable of having therein microvoids fromwhich an insect repelling substance, e.g., one of thegeraniol-containing compositions of our invention will be controllablytransported from the plastic core into and through the soap cake over areasonable period of time during the use of the soap cake. Such polymerscan be microporous polymers, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No.4,247,498 issued on Jan. 27, 1981, the specification for which isincorporated herein by reference. Surrounding the central plastic corecontaining insect repellent 832, is detergent 830' which is in the solidphase at ambient conditions, e.g., room temperature and atmosphericpressure. Examples of workable detergents 830' are "elastic" detergentssuch as those described in U.S. Pat No. 4,181,632 issued on Jan. 1,1980, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, or"transparent" soaps such as those set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,165,293issued on Aug. 21, 1979, the disclosure of which is incorporated hereinby reference. Other examples of the detergent 830' useful in ourinvention are those set forth as "variegated soaps" in Canadian LettersPatent No. 1,101,165 issued on May 19, 1981.

On use of the soap tablet 830 or detergent bar, the insect repellentagent originally located in plastic core 832 is transported at a steadystate from core 832 through core surface 831 through the detergent 830'and finally through the surface of the detergent bar at, for example,833, 834, 835 and 836.

The detergent bar or tablet 830 of our invention may be of any geometricshape, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped tablet as is shown inFIGS. 15, 16 and 17 containing solid plastic core 839. The insectrepellent located in solid plastic core 839 on use of the detergent barpasses through at steady state, surface 837 of FIG. 16, detergent 838and finally surface 839 at, for example, locations 840, 841, 842 and843. The environment surrounding the detergent bar on use thereof isthen treated with the insect repellent at 843, 844 and 845, for example.Optionally, aromatizing agent can also be contained in the detergent bar(if desired) and so the environment surrounding the detergent bar on usethereof would also be aesthetically aromatized at 843, 844 and 845, forexample if the geraniol-containing composition of our invention isinsufficient for such aromatization In certain instances suchgeraniol-containing compositions are indeed sufficient for sucharomatization.

As is shown in FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 the plastic core of the detergenttablet 830 may have a single finite void at its center 851 (of FIGS. 19and 20) in which the insect repellent agent and optionally anyadditional aromatizing agents are contained. The plastic core is a shell848 having outer surface 852 (shown in FIGS. 19 and 20). The insectrepellent agent (and optionally any additional aromatizing agent)contained in the void in the plastic core permeates through shell 848,past surfce 852 at a steady state, through the detergent 847 and to theenvironment at, for example, 856, 857 858 and 859.

In addition to the insect repellent contained in the core, e.g., core839 or core void the core can also contain other materials fortherapeutic use, for example, bacteriastats, deodorizing agents and thelike which are compatible with the geraniol-containing compositions ofour invention. In the alternative, the plastic core of the detergenttablet of FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 may have an empty single finite void atits center 851 with the insect repellent contained in the shell 848.

At the end of the use of the detergent tablet, the hollow core or thesolid core can be used as an insect imparting and aroma imparting or airfreshener household article. In addition, depending on the ratio of thevolume of the void 851, to the solid part of the detergent table ofFIGS. 18, 19 and 20, the detergent tablet of FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 can beso fabricated that it will float on the surface of the liquid in whichit is being used and this physical attribute has certain obviousadvantages.

FIG. 23 is a series of graphs depicted in three-dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness or repellency of various compositions of matter formosquitoes (Aedes aegyptae).

The graphs are based on experiments run for a total of one hour with sixintervals of ten minutes each. The peak indicated by reference numeral2305 is for air The peak indicated by reference numeral 2307 is for themixture containing 61.54 mole percent geraniol, 24.5 mole percentcitronellol and 13.98 mole percent nerol.

The graph indicated by reference numeral 2303 is for the mixturecontaining 98.95 mole percent geraniol and 1.05 mole percent nerol.

The graph indicated by reference numeral 2301 is for the mixturecontaining 81.8 mole percent geraniol, 11.66 mole percent citronelloland 6.53 mole percent nerol. Table X(A) below sets forth the results intabulated form:

                  TABLE IX(A)                                                     ______________________________________                                        Composition                                                                            Graph   Insects Collected Per Interval (Ten                          Tested   No.     Minute Intervals Totalling One Hour)                         ______________________________________                                        Air      2305    0     1    34   1    8    2    0                             Mixture of                                                                             2307    0     4    0    0    0    0    0                             61.54 mole                                                                    percent                                                                       geraniol,                                                                     24.5 mole                                                                     percent                                                                       citronellol                                                                   and 13.98                                                                     mole percent                                                                  nerol.                                                                        Mixture  2303    0     2    0    0    0    0    0                             98.95 mole                                                                    percent                                                                       geraniol                                                                      and 1.05                                                                      mole                                                                          percent                                                                       nerol.                                                                        Mixture of                                                                             2301    0     5    0    0    0    1    0                             81.8 mole                                                                     percent                                                                       geraniol,                                                                     11.66 mole                                                                    percent                                                                       citronellol                                                                   and 6.53                                                                      mole percent                                                                  nerol.                                                                        ______________________________________                                    

FIG. 24 is a series of graphs depicted in three-dimensions (in arectangular mode for the "X" and "Y" axes) showing the relativeattractiveness or repellency of various compositions of matter formosquiotes (Aedes aegyptae). The graphs are based on experiments run fora total of six hours with six intervals of one hour each. The resultsare tabulated in Table IX(B) below. The graph indicated by referencenumeral 2405 is for air. The graph indicated by reference numeral 2407is for a mixture of 61.54 mole percent geraniol, 24.5 mole percentcitronellol and 13.98 mole percent nerol. The graph indicated byreference numeral 2403 is for a mixture of 98.95 mole percent geranioland 1.05 mole percent nerol. The graph indicated by reference numeral2401 is for a mixture of 81.8 mole percent geraniol, 11.66 mole percentcitronellol and 6.53 mole percent nerol.

                  TABLE IX(B)                                                     ______________________________________                                        Composition                                                                            Graph   Insects Collected Per Interval (One Hour                     Tested   No.     Each For A Total Of Six Hours)                               ______________________________________                                        Air      2405    0     0    28   36   105  45   60                            Mixture  2407    0     0    0    0     0   0    0                             containing                                                                    61.54 mole                                                                    percent                                                                       geraniol,                                                                     24.5 mole                                                                     percent                                                                       citronellol                                                                   and 13.98                                                                     mole percent                                                                  nerol.                                                                        Mixture of                                                                             2403    0     0    0    0     1   3    3                             98.95 mole                                                                    percent                                                                       geraniol,                                                                     and 1.05                                                                      mole percent                                                                  nerol.                                                                        Mixture of                                                                             2401    0     0    0    0     0   0    0                             81.8 mole                                                                     percent                                                                       geraniol,                                                                     11.66 mole                                                                    percent                                                                       citronellol                                                                   and 6.53                                                                      mole percent                                                                  nerol.                                                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE I

The transparent candle base mixture is produced by intimately admixingthe following ingredients:

    ______________________________________                                        Ingredients      Parts by Weight                                              ______________________________________                                        VERSAMID® 1635                                                                             34.0                                                         Barlol 12C2      51.0                                                         Butyl Stearate   3.5                                                          NEVEX® 100   5.0                                                          SPAN®        1.5                                                          Isopropyl Isostearate                                                                          4.0                                                          Isopropyl Myristate                                                                            4.0                                                          ______________________________________                                    

The foregoing mixture is placed in an autoclave and intimately admixedwith a perfuming-insect repellent composition containing 95% by weightof geraniol and 5% by weight nerol of the total candle base composition.

The autoclave is sealed and heated to 180° C. under 15 atmospherespressure and maintained with vigorous shaking for a period of fivehours. At the end of the five hour period, the autoclave isdepressurized (being under a nitrogen pressure atmosphere) and theautoclave is opened and the contents are then poured into cylindricalcandle molds 4" in height and 2" in diameter containing 0.125" wicks.The resulting candles have efficacious mosquito and house flyrepellencies and have aesthetically pleasing aromas on use.

The candles are effective in preventing house flies and mosquitoes fromentering a room in which two candles have been burning for 15 minutes,the said room having dimensions of 6'×15'×15' and having a 3'×3' openportal adjacent to house fly and mosquito-infested region in the monthof August, 1988 in the temperate zone of Highlands, N.J. adjacentRaritan Bay.

EXAMPLE II

A study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of candles which aredesignated as "A", "B" and "C" in repelling house flies (Musca domesticaL. (Diptera:Muscidae)).

Candle "A" contained 95% Paraffin Wax and 5% of 100% geraniol.

Candle "B" contained 90% Paraffin Wax and 10% citronellol oil.

Candle "C" contained only Paraffin Wax.

The candles are allowed to burn for 20 minutes and the number of houseflies and mosquitoes repelled is recorded for the next 60 minutes withthe following equipment and procedure:

Materials Test Chamber

The evaluation was conducted in a 28.3 cubic meter chamber with airingports. A screened cage measuring 15 cm×15 cm×47.5 cm was attached insidean upper airing port, and a screened repellency observation cagemeasuring 15 cm×15 cm×32.5 cm was attached outside the upper airingport. The two cages were held together by a Masonite plate which fitfirmly in the airing port. A 4-cm hole located in the center of eachMasonite plate provided an escape for the test insects. A barrier wasused to close the hole.

Attractant

A caged mouse was used as an attractant and was placed inside thechamber in the larger section of the repellency cage.

Test Insect

Adult House Flies (Musca domestica L. (Diptera:Muscidae)) are Testinsects.

Procedure

For each replicate, 75 to 100 adult house flies were removed from therearing cage by means of a vacuum aspirator, and transferred by carbondioxide anesthesia to the inner cage containing the mouse. The assembledcage was placed in one of the upper ventilation ports of the chamber.For each experimental situation the test insects were transferred to aclean cage containing the mouse. A house fly candle was placed centrallyon the chamber floor and burned for 20 minutes before initiating therepellency counts. The maximum period for the repellency counts was 60minutes. The first repellency count was made at 10 minutes after theburning ended, and subsequent counts were taken at 5-minute intervalsthereafter. The number of house flies repelled were those escaping tothe outside cage. For the control, counts were made in a similar manner,but no candle was burned.

The same three candles were used for all four replicates. Betweenreplicates the chamber was exhausted, the Kraft paper flooring for thechamber was replaced, and the two screened repellency cages weresubmerged in hot detergent water, rinsed and dried.

Results

The overall average percent of house flies repelled for each candle for60 minutes was as follows:

Candle "A"--94%

Candle "B"--53%

Candle "C"--16%.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of attracting Musca domestica L.(Diptera:Muscidae) to a three-dimensional space inhabitable by saidMusca domestica L. (Diptera:Muscidae) comprising the step of exposingsaid three-dimensional space to a Musca domestica L.(Diptera:Muscidae)-attracting concentration and quantity of jasmineabsolute.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the jasmine absolute iscontained in a polymer matrix.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein thebiodegradable polymer is a polyepsilon caprolactone polymer or apolyurethane polymer.
 4. A method of attracting Musca domestica L.(Diptera:Muscidae) to an insect trap comprising the step of exposing theenvironment surrounding said trap to an insect attractant containingpolymer which consists of a mixture of a polymer and from about 1% up toabout 45% by weight of said polymer of jasmine absolute.